Derek Hough and girlfriend Hayley Erbert gush about each other in first joint interview

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/08/2018

Derek Hough and girlfriend Hayley Erbert have conducted their first interview as a couple, and they appear smitten with each other.

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The World of Dance judge and Hayley, a Dancing with the Stars Troupe member, spoke to Entertainment Tonight at the Steve Irwin Gala on Saturday in Los Angeles, CA. (Derek was paired with Steve's daughter Bindi Irwin on Dancing with the Stars' 21st season and they won together).

The couple also talked about Derek's gig on World of Dance, which is returning to NBC this summer with its second season on Tuesday, May 29 at 10PM ET/PT.

"I have actually gone to a few of the tapings, so I kind of know [what he's like on the set]. I'm always excited to hear what he has to say. Sometimes he just speaks his mind and I'm like, 'What is he going to say now?!'" Hayley said with a big smile.

"Well a lot of the time, I don't even know what to say. I just move my body in a certain way that shows how I feel," Derek joked.

On a more serious note, Derek revealed, "But I'm excited, this next season is gonna be off the charts. We really stepped it up a lot. So I'm very excited to have people see it... [Fellow judge Jennifer Lopez] is great. She's a professional. She gets stuff done when she needs to... And she has different personalities that come out at different moments."

"She's just awesome... Working with her, it's like, 'Okay, I can see how she's had such a long career.' She's perfect," Derek added.

Derek and Hayley, who also competed on So You Think You Can Dance, have been linked since 2015; however, they've managed to keep their romance fairly private.

Prior to starring on World of Dance, Derek competed on 17 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, with his last appearance being on Season 23 with his celebrity partner Marilu Henner. Derek won more mirrorball trophies than any other pro on the show, with a total of six wins.

Dancing with the Stars is currently airing its 26th edition -- a four-week, mini season featuring all athletes. Derek disclosed he's rooting for disgraced former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding to win.